Liu Bei took Zhou Xing and Wang Xiu into Taishi Ci's house, Huang Ren, the third elder of the village, also followed him in. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei led their soldiers to guard outside.

"Mr. Liu Fu still had a lot of money and food sent last time, and today he brought so much stuff. I'm home alone and can't use it all!"

Taishi Ci's mother looked at the grain, meat and cloth brought by Liu Bei and said.

Liu Bei smiled slightly: "I know Ziyi. Now he is far away in Yangzhou. My mother is alone at home. I should have come to visit a long time ago. It's just that I was busy before and I only have time to come today. Please don't blame me! These things are not

If you have any needs from now on, please tell me and I will send them to you immediately."

Taishi Ci is a few years younger than Liu Bei, and his mother is now in her sixties, about the same age as Liu Bei's late mother.

The old woman nodded: "I heard Ziyi say that when Kong Beihai was besieged by the Yellow Turbans, it was Ziyi who went to ask the prince for help. Fortunately, the prince sent troops to help, and the Yellow Turban thieves were able to break the siege and retreat. Speaking of which, I am the prince.

Benefactor!"

After a pause, the old woman continued: "When Ziyi took refuge in Liaodong, Kong Beihai often gave me gifts and condolences. He was my benefactor. Mr. Fu saved Kong Beihai, so Mr. Fu is also my benefactor! What a pity,

My son is not in Donglai, otherwise he should be allowed to assist the governor and let the people of Donglai live a good life together!"

Zhou Xing hurriedly continued: "Yes, it would be great if my sworn brother was in Donglai. Not only could he work with Liu Fujun for the people of Donglai, but he could also be at home with his mother."

The old woman looked at Zhou Xing and smiled and said: "The man has ambitions all over the world, how can Ziyi stay at home with me! I asked him to go to Yangzhou to assist Liu Shijun. Now that he has followed Liu Shijun, he will die.

Follow me! I heard that there was a war in Yangzhou and Sun Ce led his troops to attack Liu Shijun. I just don’t know how the battle will go!"

The Liu Shijun she mentioned was Liu Yao, a herdsman from Yangzhou, and Liu Yao was from Mouping, Donglai.

Zhou Xing glanced at Liu Bei and responded: "I heard that Liu Yangzhou was defeated and retreated to Yuzhang County. As for the specific information about Ziyi brother, it is currently unknown. Liu Fujun has sent people to Yangzhou to investigate. If there is any news, we will report it in time.

Come and tell grandma."

Liu Bei nodded secretly and then said: "Ziyi is brave and loyal, so nothing will happen to him. Liu Yangzhou is just retreating temporarily. With Ziyi's help, I believe they will repel the rebels."

In fact, Liu Bei knew that with Liu Yao's current power, it would be difficult to resist Sun Ce, and losing Yangzhou was inevitable. He said this because he wanted to comfort Taishi Ci's mother. Because of this, he felt that there was hope for Taishi Ci to come back to assist.

myself.

When the old woman heard that Liu Yao was defeated, she had a worried look on her face, but she seemed to be tolerant and said: "No matter what the outcome is, as long as Ziyi does his best and feels no regrets!"

She once asked Taishi Ci to take risks alone to save Kong Rong, which shows that she has confidence in her son's ability and values ​​loyalty more than life and death.

"I heard what Liu Fujun said outside just now. Fujun wiped out the bandits for the people of Donglai, and now he has reduced taxes. Such kindness is unparalleled in the world. We Donglai people are so lucky!" The old woman added said.

Zhou Xing originally wanted to take the opportunity to ask Taishi Ci's mother to persuade him to come back, but now it seems that if he wants Taishi Ci to come back, he can only wait until he surrenders Sun Ce.

At that time, you can inform Sun Ce of the news that Taishi Ci has surrendered, and then convince his mother, whether it is writing a letter or sending someone, as long as Taishi Ci can be recalled.

If Taishi Ci comes back, with his mother's words and his own persuasion, Zhou Xing believes that he can persuade Taishi Ci to assist Liu Bei.

But we can’t rush this matter now. If you have good products, don’t be afraid of delays, and Liu Bei can afford to wait now.

After leaving Taishi Ci's home, Liu Bei led Zhou Xing and others back to the city and immediately called everyone to discuss matters.

The meritorious officer Li Ye, the county magistrate Mi Zhu, Jian Yong, Sun Qian and Mi Fang were all there.

Liu Bei told all the ideas mentioned by Zhou Xing. Li Ye, Mi Zhu and others were so shocked that they opened their mouths in disbelief.

"Do you really want Mingfu to do this?" Li Ye, the meritorious officer, really couldn't believe it.

"Yes." Liu Bei affirmed.

"If we don't close the official tax and the new tax, the calculated tax will be reduced by 20 yuan, and the land tax will also be reduced. In this case, how can we have money to support officials and soldiers?"

Mi Zhu asked urgently. He was good at doing business and was particularly concerned about making profits.

Liu Bei looked at Zhou Xing: "Military advisor, tell me."

These ideas were put forward by Zhou Xing, and it would be better to let him answer them now.

Zhou Xingxian cleared his throat and said loudly: "The oral tax is collected from the age of one. This is a bad government. Although the old system is from seven to fourteen years old, the money from the oral tax is mainly used to feed the emperor. Now the emperor is in trouble. In the pass, the roads are difficult to pass and contributions are difficult to come. However, the people of Donglai have been in chaos for many years and are in great hardship, so they can be temporarily exempted from their contributions."

"Although the money for calculating the tax has been reduced by 20 yuan, and the starting age for taxation has been raised, a lot less money will be collected, but the people will be willing to register for household registration because the burden is reduced. Nowadays, there are many people who have left their households and left their hometowns. If people leave their hometowns, If all the people who have left their homes are returned to their hometowns, and all the people who have left their homes are registered, the money we receive as a gift will be even more than what we have now."

"Reducing land taxes will allow people to work diligently to open up wasteland and cultivate, so that wasteland can be used and field taxes can be collected. There will be more fields for growing grains. Even though the tax rate is reduced, the taxed grains collected will be much more than now. In this way, the people can If your family has enough food to live and work in peace and contentment, our warehouse will have more money and food."

"As for raising officials and soldiers, we can adopt the strategy of refining the army and simplifying the officials. Don't have too many officials, just enough to use them. It's not about having too many soldiers, but about being good. In addition, the people of the right age can take turns to serve in the military for one year. In this way, it can seem like there is no army. There are thousands of people."

In fact, there is one thing Zhou Xing did not say, that is, Liu Bei will gain a reputation for treating the people well.

Such a reputation is of greater value than money and grain to Liu Bei, who wants to help the Han Dynasty and pacify the world.

However, this can only be understood but cannot be expressed in words. Those who understand it will understand it naturally.

Of course Mi Zhu understands, he knows what Liu Bei's ambition is, otherwise he would not invest all his wealth in Liu Bei.

After listening to Zhou Xing's words, Mi Zhu thought it was worth doing, no matter from the economic or reputational interests, and said nothing more.

Jian Yong and Sun Qian had nothing to say. Anyway, they would fully support Liu Bei no matter what he did, and besides, it was a matter of benefit to themselves and the people.

Only the meritorious officer Li Ye still felt like he was in a dream, with an unreal feeling. After a long time, he said: "Mr. Mingfu is really going to do this?!"

Liu Bei affirmed again: "Yes."

Li Ye heard clearly now and was convinced in his heart. He quickly stood up, walked to Liu Bei, bowed before him, and said: "Mingfu Lord is so benevolent. Li Ye pays homage to Fu Lord on behalf of the people of Donglai! From now on, Li Ye can only repay him with death." Only in this way can I repay the great kindness of the prince. Even if he goes through fire and water, Li Ye will not hesitate!"

Liu Bei smiled and said: "Yuan Sheng's words are serious. From now on, we need all of you to work together to make the people of Donglai live a better life!"

With the decision made in his heart, and no one had any objections, Liu Bei asked Li Ye, the magistrate of Huang County, Wang Xiu, the county magistrate Mi Zhu and Sun Qian to discuss and formulate the detailed matters, and then revised and finalized them with Zhou Xing. Then he notified all counties and townships and issued strict orders. Counties and townships must strictly implement this, and order postal supervisors to inspect and supervise.

As soon as the news spread, the whole county was in a state of excitement. Many people came to express their gratitude to Liu Bei outside the prefect's mansion. Some people even brought money and food to Liu Bei to express their gratitude for Liu Bei's kindness. Although it was not much, it could express their gratitude.

However, Liu Bei strictly ordered not to accept it, saying that "we have plenty of money and food, and we don't want to waste the people."

This move made the people praise his virtues even more. After hearing this, there was an endless stream of people returning home, and the roads were congested. Even refugees came a lot, because they heard that Liu Bei was going to open farmland so that the landless refugees could cultivate.

Liu Bei put Jian Yong and Mi Fang in charge of the farming affairs, Jian Yong was in charge of the civilian villages, and Mi Fang was in charge of the military villages.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei made great achievements in suppressing the bandits, and both of them were appointed as school captains, responsible for training the newly recruited soldiers.

Liu Bei is now General Zhendong, and the post of captain can be set up in the army.

Zhou Xing had the greatest credit, but he was still a military advisor. Although this military advisor position did not have the power to lead troops, it seemed to be higher than everyone else, including Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

Liu Bei also rewarded Zhou Xing with ten gold cakes and fifty thousand coins. He could not mention his position anymore, but he must show his financial performance.

Zhou Xing readily accepted. In addition to assisting Liu Bei in handling political affairs and studying military literature, he also paid attention to the situation in Liaodong.
Chapter completed!